Chinese Herbal Medicine for Functional Abdominal Pain Syndrome: From Clinical Findings to Basic Understandings

Table 2

Action and indication of the ten most frequently used herbs for FAPS.

Chinese name in pinyin	Latin name	Frequency of usage	Action	Indication
Ren Shen	Radix Ginseng	78	Replenish the primordial qi; tonify the spleen and lung; promote fluid production and induce tranquilization	() Prostration syndrome of primordial qi; () Lung qi deficiency syndrome; () Spleen qi deficiency syndrome; () Thirst due to qi deficiency and consumption of fluid in febrile disease; () Palpations, fearful throbbing, insomnia, and dream-disturbed sleep
Bai Zhu	Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae	53	Invigorate spleen and replenish qi; dry dampness and induce diuresis; stop sweating; prevent abortion	() Spleen qi deficiency syndrome; () Edema, phlegm-fluid retention; () Spontaneous sweating due to qi deficiency; () Threatened abortion due to spleen deficiency
Chen Pi	Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae	43	Regulate qi and invigorate spleen; dry dampness and resolve phlegm	() Qi stagnation of spleen and stomach; () Retention of dampness and cough with profuse sputum
Bing Lang	Semen Arecae	41	Expel worms and remove food stagnation; move qi; induce diuresis	() Intestinal parasitic disease; () Dyspepsia and qi stagnation manifested as dysentery with tenesmus; () Edema and beriberi with the manifestations of swelling and pain
Chen Xiang	Lignum Aquilariae Resinatum	29	Promote qi flow to relieve pain; warm the middle energizer to stop vomiting; warm kidney to improve inspiration	() Distending pain in the chest and abdomen; () Stomach cold causing vomiting; () Dyspnea of deficiency type
Wu Yao	Radix Linderae	26	Promote qi flow to relieve pain; warm kidney to disperse cold	() Chest and abdomen pain syndromes; () Frequent urination and enuresis
Yan Hu Suo	Rhizoma Corydalis	26	Activate blood; move qi; relieve pain	Stagnation of qi and blood stasis causing pain
Mu Xiang	Radix Aucklandiae	23	Promote qi flow to stop pain; regulate the middle energizer	() Spleen and stomach qi stagnation syndromes; () Large intestine qi stagnation syndrome; () Liver and gallbladder qi stagnation
Sheng Jiang	Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens	19	Dispel cold, release superficies; warm the middle; arrest vomiting; resolve phlegm and stop cough	() Exterior contraction of wind-cold; () Stomach cold and vomiting; () Lung cold and cough
Gan Cao	Radix Glycyrrhizae	19	Tonify spleen and replenish qi; dispel phlegm and arrest cough; relieve spasm and pain; clear heat and relieve toxicity; harmonize all medicinals	() Spleen qi deficiency syndrome; () Heart qi insufficient syndrome; () Cough and dyspnea; () Spasm in the abdomen and extremities; () Heat-toxin with ulcers and sore throat; medical or food poisoning; () Moderating the properties of medicinals